How to remove unsightly sprue marks and mould lines from plastic models, miniatures and Gundam kits.
Whether it’s a Games Workshop, Warlord miniature, an Airfix or Tamiya military model or maybe even a Gundam kit you’ll occasionally be faced with mould lines and excess plastic where the sprue join was and which spoilt the look. Here’s quick guide on how to remove them to get a better finish on your models.
It boils down to identifying what’s a sprue marks, using a sharp knife to cut it off and the filing it down and then polishing it off.
It’s simple, easy, and works. If you don’t already do this give a go and see how much better your models look afterwards.
> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.